Licensing

States require many businesses to obtain licenses, separate from any requirements regarding their formation. For example, the state of Washington requires all businesses to submit a Master Business Application. In addition, the state requires specialty licenses for a variety of businesses, including cigarette retailers, limousines and shopkeepers who sell non-prescription drugs. Washington business licenses can be searched on the state’s Department of Licensing Web site at: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/bpdLicenseQuery/. Many states have similar web sites.

Professionals in many fields ranging from attorneys and doctors to firearms instructors and funeral directors are subject to state licensing. Some of these states post this information on Internet sites. For example, Florida’s is available at http://www.myflorida.com/licensee/cat/.

States also handle complaints, investigations and discipline of licensed professionals. Records of sanctions are often available from the appropriate state board or agency. For example, Pennsylvania posts online monthly updates (available at http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/) on sanctions issued by its 27 licensing bodies.

However, complaints and investigative materials are likely to be confidential. For example, Arizona law says “any information received and records or reports kept by the board as a result of the investigation procedure outlined in this chapter are not available to the public.” Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 32-1451.01(C) (2009).